Five Giants that need big seasons in 2014

By John Fennelly | Mar 28, 2014 | 11:05AM

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2014 promises to be a turning point in Giants' history. The roster roulette wheel has been churning and probably won't stop for awhile. John Mara has adapted some of Patriots' owner Bob Kraft's management skills when handling players and salaries.

Kraft is known for treating players like family, but when it comes to keeping them and paying them past their prime, he draws the line. We have seen the Giants begin to do that this offseason with several players, i.e. Justin Tuck, Hakeem Nicks.

The club has several core players remaining they plan on building around, but those players won't find themselves in the core for too much longer if they underperform.

QB Eli Manning - After leading the league in INTs last year, Eli will have to be less careless, more productive and return to form as a championship-caliber QB. The new offense will play to his strengths by speeding things up and giving him less time to slip into bad habits and turn the football over. Manning needs a strong season to convince the Giants' hierarchy he's worthy of a contract extension.

DE Jason Pierre-Paul - This year is crucial to him as it's the final year on his contract. The back issues are said to be behind him and the rehab from his shoulder injury is on schedule. That being said, JPP has to have a throwback season for the Giants to a) have a successful pass rush this year and b) make himself marketable for next March's free agent class. If he struggles again, and the Giants see no upside, expect him to get the Nicks/Tuck treatment from the Giants after the season.

OT Will Beatty - As far as we know, the Giants will give Beatty the chance to reassert himself back at the LT position. He could begin camp on PUP if he's not fully healed from the broken tibia that ended his 2013 season. The Giants are relying on Beatty to be their man protecting Eli's blindside and should he continue to slip, they will be looking for another solution at LT.

WR Rueben Randle - In his third season, Randle has to take advantage of the opportunity in front of him. The Giants will need him to step up to the next level as a player. Last year, he looked awkward and confused at times and needs to polish himself up as a pro. The Giants are counting on him, too, having let Nicks go. If he falters, they could be in trouble.

S Antrel Rolle - He is in the final year of his contract and is willing to sign an extension. The Giants have not made any overtures in that direction. Rolle could play this entire season with free agency staring him in the face. Perhaps that is the Giants' plan to motivate him further. He will be 32 this December and the Giants just might take their chances signing him back as a UFA next March rather than paying him up now.

Mara 'a little concerned' how legal sports betting will work for NFL

12:00PM

New York Giants president and chief executive officer John Mara holds a press conference in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com via USA TODAY Sports)

Giants co-owner John Mara has never been one for legalizing sports betting country-wide. But, now that the Supreme Court voted for it on May 14, he hopes the NFL can regulate it properly.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell broke his silence on the matter on Monday, saying he is going to have the top priority of making sure the integrity of the game is still upheld after this legalization. He also is asking Congress to keep in mind basic principles for those states that wish to make sports betting legal within their limits.

In a released statement, Goodell said: "We are asking Congress to enact uniform standards for states that choose to legalize sports betting that include, at a minimum, four core principles...

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Mara speaks on new anthem policy, calls protests 'very divisive'

Hopes all of the Giants stand for the anthem this season

9:32AM

Well, that doesn't appear to be the case after the new policy was released by the NFL on Wednesday that requires all team and league personnel on the field "to stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem." If players wish to continue protesting, they must do so off the field by not being present on the sideline for the anthem.

Collins already sees Shurmur instilling 'the Giants way'

8:56AM

Giants GM Dave Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur said they were looking to change the team's culture after a tumultuous season on and off the field in 2017.

For S Landon Collins, he already notices a big difference being brought to the Giants with this new regime.

"They don't want no bulls--t, honestly," Collins told The Post's Zach Braziller. "We want people who want to win, we want people that want to play. We want people that's hungry and go on the field and do their thing.

May 23 | 8:27PM

Brandon Marshall may not be a Giant anymore, but that doesn't mean he isn't rooting for them. In fact, he views them as a contender this year.

Marshall was released by the Giants back in April after failing a physical, with the team saving $5.156 million in the process. He had to undergo surgery on his left ankle after injuring it during the team's Week 5 matchup against the Chargers.

Marshall had no hard feelings for his release, and instead, he believes the moves they made to improve the team this offseason makes them scary.

In a series of tweets, Giants DT Damon Harrison reacted to the NFL's new national anthem policy on Wednesday.

The new policy, which the NFLPA immediately fired back at, requires all team and league personnel on the field "to stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem" or stay in the locker room or another inside area until the anthem is completed. Those who violate the policy will receive "appropriate discipline" from the commisioner.

Harrison was among Giants who knelt during the anthem at points last season for social justice reasons. Click below to see his tweets...

That policy, which stemmed from many players kneeling in protest last season for social justice reasons, was immediately challenged by the NFLPA, which issued a statement saying it would "review the new 'policy' and challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement."

In its statement, the NFLPA said the NFL "chose to not consult the union" while developing the new policy, and said that the vote by NFL club CEOs "contradicts the statements made to our player leadership by Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Chairman of the NFL's Management Council John Mara about the principles, values, and patriotism of our League."

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Tiki Barber says Shurmur wants him back in Giants family

May 23 | 10:24AM

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It wasn't just two weeks into Pat Shurmur's new role as the Giants' head coach that he began to make calls. And not only were those calls to his current players, but they also included some past Giants as well.

One of those happened to be the best running back to date in Giants history in Tiki Barber. Despite Barber holding many Giants rushing records, he didn't have a strong relationship with the team following his retirement in 2006.

Well, it looks like Shurmur is trying to mend that bridge. Barber didn't pick up when Shurmur called, so he left a message saying, "Tik, I just wanted to call you and make a connection." Since then, Barber says he and Shurmur have been in contact multiple times.

Giants S Landon Collins is excited about the way the Giants are shaping up under new coach Pat Shurmur -- and he senses a difference from last season.

"They don't want no bullsh*t," Collins said on Tuesday when asked about the head coach, as well as new general manager Dave Gettleman, according to Tom Rock of Newsday.

The Giants ushered in new leadership after firing head coach Ben McAdoo in December before finishing the season with then-defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo at the helm as interim head coach. Spagnuolo has since left the team as well...

Giants sign WR Russell Shepard

May 22 | 12:44PM

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(Jeremy Brevard)

The Giants have added some depth to their wide receiver corps as they signed veteran WR Russell Shepard, the team announced Tuesday.

Shepard has been in the NFL for five seasons, spending time with the Bucs and Panthers. He was with the Bucs from 2013-16, where he totaled 634 yards and four touchdowns on 47 receptions over 72 regular-season games.

Last season with the Panthers, Shepard played in 15 games, earning three starts along the way. He had 17 receptions for 202 yards and one touchdowns. He was released by the team last week.

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GEICO SportsNite: Catching up with the Giants' OTAs

May 22 | 12:19AM

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GEICO SportsNite: Giants OTAs00:05:35

Larry Ridley, Marc Malusis and Sal Licata discuss the latest on Odell Beckham Jr. and how Saquon Barkley is fitting in at Giants OTAs.

Giants newcomers praise rookie RB Barkley

May 21 | 7:30PM

Giants rookie Saquon Barkley has already impressed head coach Pat Shurmur. And he's far from the only person to praise the No. 2 pick.

Hall of Famer Curtis Martin called Barkley "one of the best runners I've seen." Brandon Jacobs said the former Penn State running back "the total guy." Giants GM Dave Gettleman said he had Hall of Fame potential when the team drafted him.

And Barkley's current teammates are impressed, too.

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Eli Apple admits he was 'embarrassed' after last season's issues

Apple is looking forward to making best of "clean slate"

His embarrassment stems from a sophomore season that saw tumult, both on and off the field. He threatened to leave the team facility after players and coaches called out his effort in a film session, was caught tweeting while on the sideline during a game, and eventually caused enough distraction and trouble in the locker room that teammate Landon Collins called him a "cancer."

Looking back now that a new season is upon him, Apple knows that 2017 just wasn't his year...

Odell Beckham Jr. arrives at Giants' facility for OTAs as expected

May 21 | 9:16AM

It was reported earlier that Beckham was expected to show up for the voluntary OTAs last Friday. He was also present for all three days of the Giants' offseason workout program in late April.

Last season, Beckham was one of two players ( DE Olivier Vernon) to not show up for OTAs before the start of training camp.

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Roger Goodell weighs in on sports betting ruling

May 21 | 11:28AM

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell broke his silence about the legalization of sports betting that the United States Supreme Court voted in favor for on May 14.

This enormously impacts the professional sporting world as Congress could now regulate sports betting if they wish to do so. However, if they elect not to, each State is allowed to act on its own in implementing their own system.

No matter what happened, Goodell's top priority is making sure that the integrity of the game continues to flourish moving forward with the ruling...

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See it: Odell Beckham Jr. hits homer in batting practice

May 18 | 11:35PM

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New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. acknowledges fans before a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium. (Brad Penner/USA Today Sports Images)

What can't Odell Beckham Jr. do?

We've seen the Giants star wide receiver show off his dunking ability on the court and his soccer skills on the pitch. On Friday night in Anaheim, Beckham displayed what he can do at the plate as he bashed a long ball over the left center field wall at Angels Stadium during batting practice.

Eli Manning had most dropped passes of any QB in 2017

Giants QB Eli Manning had a tough time getting any offense from his 2017 squad that went 3-13 last season. It also didn't help that the balls he got off in the pocket before it collapsed weren't caught.

According to Pro Football Focus, Manning had the most dropped passes among qualifying quarterbacks last season with 43. The closest players to him are the Raiders Derek Carr and Chargers Philip Rivers, who both at 35 drops.

Before the 2017 season began, this was a stat that didn't look to have Manning at the top of the list. He had Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, Brandon Marshall, and rookie TE Evan Engram to work with.

David Diehl confident Giants offseason moves will turn team around

May 16 | 9:45AM

Former Giants offensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion David Diehl sees an entirely different Giants team this year.

And though they were one of the leagues' worst at 3-13, Diehl is confident the new pieces this season will generate more wins.

"You're going to be looking at a completely different offense," Diehl told NJ.com's Matt Lombardo. "Now you have Saquon Barkley, to Will Hernandez, to Nate Solder, and now coming back with a healthy Odell Beckham Jr., you're looking at a dangerous offense that can do a lot of things."

The Giants, Manning and Steiner Sports are alleged to have falsely provided non-game-used helmets for sale as certified game-used helmets. The plaintiffs' lawyers uncovered an email last year that Manning sent to the team's equipment director in 2010 when he asked for two helmets "that can pass as game used."

Manning's advice to Barkley: 'Learn how to say no'

May 14 | 4:25PM

New York Giants QB Eli Manning tells SNY's Justine Ward what his best advice is for rookie RB Saquon Barkley.

Giants QB Eli Manning is excited to start working with his new running back. But he has some words of wisdom to the 22-year-old.

Barkley, the Giants No. 2 overall pick, already has tons of spotlight on him. And Manning knows well that the spotlight shines at all times, which is why his advice to Barkley is to learn how to say no.

"Just be ready to handle this whirlwind of New York. You're going to be pulled every different direction. You gotta learn how to say 'No,' " Manning told SNY's Justine Ward at last Tuesday's BTIG Charity Day. "Say the words, 'No.' Understand you got a job to do and that's learn the playbook, get in here, and being a great teammate and learning the guys. Obviously, he's got a new family and a little baby now. So make sure you have everything in order to handle your business."

Report: Ereck Flowers back at Giants facility

Flowers skipped the team's offseason program to stay in Miami

May 14 | 11:24AM

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New York Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers (74) during the third quarter between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Giants won 27-13. (Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports)

Giants T Ereck Flowers has reportedly showed up to the team's facility Monday morning for the first time this offseason, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Flowers missed the team's voluntary offseason training program, and fellow teammate Landon Collins said it was due to the fact that he is switching to right tackle following the signing of veteran LT Nate Solder.

"He just unhappy that they picked up [Nate Solder]," Collins said. "That's it."

Eric Chemi of CNBC joins Daily News Live to discuss the legalization of sports gambling and the ramifications of this newly amended bill.

The United States Supreme Court struck down a 25-year old law on Monday that had basically prevented all states except Nevada from having legalized sports gambling. "The legalization of sports gambling requires an important policy choice, but the choice is not ours to make," the Supreme Court announced. "Congress can regulate sports gambling directly, but if it elects not to do so, each State is free to act on its own."

The ruling was an enormous immediate victory for the state of New Jersey, which could have a gambling venue open in Monmouth Park within a few weeks, according to the NY Post. There will be a press conference in Monmouth Park Monday at 1 p.m. Aside from New Jersey, The Post notes that New York and Illinois are among roughly 15 other states who have "introduced bills to legalize and regulate sports betting tied to the Supreme Court outcome."

The NBA and MLB have been preparing for Monday's potential outcome, reports Brian Windhorst of ESPN, who said each league had hired lobbying firms, submitted written statements, and sent executives to testify in statehouses. Windhorts added that every professional sports league had been involved, with the NBA and MLB at the forefront...

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Lorenzo Carter has a 'classical' approach to his game

May 14 | 10:30AM

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Lorenzo Carter talks rookie camp00:00:42

Lorenzo Carter talks at Giants rookie camp, and discusses the ways he wants to fit in and the adjustments he needs to make to the NFL.

Giants 2018 third-rounder LB Lorenzo Carter has reminded everyone of the team's 2017 second-rounder DT Dalvin Tomlinson. It isn't their on-the-field play, but instead, what they play off the field.

Tomlinson was known as the Renaissance Man for his extracurricular activities off the field that included playing a few instruments. Carter is the same way as he dabbles with the cello and tubs among others.

"In elementary school, fifth grade, I started to play the cello and it stuck with me," Carter told reporters after the Giants' rookie minicamp over the weekend. "I love the sound of wood instruments, and I just fell in love with classical music."

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - More than a decade ago, Tom Coughlin stormed into the Giants' offices vowing to restore "Giants pride". And while Pat Shurmur hasn't exactly stormed into the building, he's on a similar mission: To restore the "Giants way"

Those are basically the same things: A reminder of the need for players to be professionals, to treat people with respect -- lessons he began teaching the rookies and tryout players at the rookie mini-camp this weekend. Shurmur, like Coughlin before him, believes there is simply a right way to do things...

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Shurmur wants Collins to stop talking about Flowers

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Landon Collins revealed what seemed obvious last week, that the reason Ereck Flowers is skipping the Giants' offseason program is because he's "unhappy" with the team for replacing him at left tackle with free agent Nate Solder. That had long been everyone's assumption anyway.

"Yeah, well that's not for Landon to talk about," Shurmur said Saturday morning during Day 2 of the Giants' rookie mini-camp. "I think the important thing is let's let Ereck talk for Ereck when he gets here and we'll worry about that later. Really, I don't think our players should be talking about another player's situation."...

RB Paul Perkins has cleared waivers and remains on the Giants reserve/non-football injury list. He will not take up a spot on the 90-man roster.

Perkins was waived by the Giants earlier this week. SNY's Ralph Vacchiano reported last month that Perkins needed surgery after suffering a torn pectoral muscle while working out on his own before the offseason program.

The Giants never announced a timetable for Perkins' recovery, though Vacchiano noted that -- depending on the extent of the tear -- the general recovery timetable is four-to-six months.

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GEICO SportsNite: Shurmur speaks on Barkley, Lauletta

May 12 | 12:43AM

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GEICO SportsNite: Pat Shurmur00:01:56

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur gives his analysis on RB Saquon Barkley and QB Kyle Lauletta after their first day of rookie mini-camp.

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Shurmur won't overwhelm Lauletta, who looked like he belonged on Day 1

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The old theory on how to develop young NFL quarterbacks was to throw as much as possible at them right from the beginning. Coaches wanted to see how much they could handle and to get them used to feeling overwhelmed.

"In a former life, way back when, what you did with the rookies -- this was like shock treatment," Giants head coach Pat Shurmur said on Friday. "You blew them up physically, emotionally, mentally and then by the time Monday came around, they're like, 'Holy smokes.'"

Anyone who remembers Eli Manning's first rookie mini-camp with the Giants knows that approach could lead to short-term disaster, even though coaches were sure it fostered long-term success. Regardless, when it comes to new Giants quarterback Kyle Lauletta, Shurmur's approach this weekend at the Giants' rookie mini-camp figures to be much different than that...

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - There has been no easing of Saquon Barkley into the spotlight by the Giants, not when GM Dave Gettleman has already hyped him as a Hall of Fame-caliber player who has been "touched by the hand of God." That is a heavy load to place on the 21-year-old's shoulders.

But to Barkley, the second overall pick in the NFL draft, the weight of Gettleman's words and expectations don't feel like a big deal at all.

"I'm so happy that I have a guy that believes in me and believes in my talent," Barkley said. "But it's not really expectations he set for me. It's something he saw on film. He believes in me. He believes I can achieve that one day...

Barkley spoke with SNY's Ralph Vacchiano on Day 1 at Rookie Minicamp

Saquon Barkley has heard the words of those who said taking a running back No. 2 was too high. And he explained to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano what makes him such an offensive threat.

"I'm not just a running back," Barkley said. "I'm not just a guy that's gonna line up in I formation and bang his head -- I'll do that if I have to, if that's part of the game plan. But I'm a guy that can run inside, outside, catch the ball out the backfield. You can line me up in slot, pass-block. Whatever it takes, I'm willing to do."

Barkley also spoke with Vacchiano about the Hall-of-Fame expectations being placed on him, and the potential of the Giants' offense. Watch the full conversation below...

Kyle Lauletta eager to learn from Eli Manning

May 11 | 12:20PM

Giants QB Kyle Lauletta, who the team selected in the fourth round (108th overall) during last month's NFL Draft, is looking forward to picking Eli Manning's brain and will "definitely lean on him" as he adjusts to the pros and learns the new playbook.

"I don't know if there's one specific thing," Lauletta said about what he most wants to learn from Manning. "The way he interacts with his teammates, the way he commands his team, the way he plays his position."

Lauletta said he has already met Manning, who congratulated him and welcomed him to the Giants. And Lauletta echoed his head coach Pat Shurmur when he said he believes Manning has "years left" in the league.

Giants sign three mid-round picks, 11 undrafted free agents

May 11 | 10:05AM

The Giants signed three mid-round draft picks and 11 undrafted free agents ahead of rookie minicamp.

Second-round pick Will Hernandez, an offensive lineman from UTEP, third-round linebacker Lorenzo Carter of Georgia and fourth-round quarterback Kyle Lauletta of Richmond all signed their rookie deals on Friday, the team announced.

Carter's deal will be for four years and include $1.049 million in guarantees, SNY.tv's Ralph Vacchiano reported on Thursday

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Daily News Live: How should Saquon Barkley be used?

May 10 | 8:19PM

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Daily News Live: Barkley's role00:02:33

The Daily News Live panel debates what role Saquon Barkley should play in the New York Giants' offense this upcoming season.

The Daily News Live panel debates what role Saquon Barkley should play in the New York Giants' offense this upcoming season.

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Giants sign third-round pick Lorenzo Carter

May 10 | 4:14PM

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(Mark J. Rebilas)

The Giants have signed third-round (66th overall) pick Lorenzo Carter to a four-year deal with $1.049 million guaranteed, SNY's Ralph Vacchiano confirmed.

Carter will earn $480,000 in 2018, followed by $665,000 in 2019, $851,000 in 2020, and $1.036 million in 2021.

Carter attended Georgia for four seasons, where he totaled 166 tackles (21.5 for loss) and 14 sacks. His senior season was his best year in college, with 62 combined tackles (8.5 for loss), 4.5 sacks, and three fumble recoveries.

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Giants waive Paul Perkins due to pectoral injury

May 10 | 2:38PM

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Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants running back Paul Perkins (28) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants have waived RB Paul Perkins with a non-football injury designation, the team announced Thursday.

If Perkins clears waivers, he can be placed on IR. The 23-year-old rushed 41 times for 90 yards in 11 games last season.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive: This could be a sad end to what once looked to be a promising career for Paul Perkins, a fifth-rounder the Giants took out of UCLA in 2016. When they drafted him they were convinced they had a steal. It was only a matter of time until he was going to be a dominant feature back...

The Giants can slap the franchise tag on Beckham for 2019, 2020, and 2021 if they so choose, and while he's deserving of a contract extension, SNY's Ralph Vacchiano recently explained why the Giants shouldn't be in a rush to acquiesce to his demands.

Five things to watch at Giants rookie minicamp

Camp begins this Friday at Quest Diagnostics Training Facility

Apr 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Saquon Barkley (Penn State) is selected as the number two overall pick to the New York Giants in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports (Tim Heitman)

He is already considered a "gold jacket" player in the eyes of the man who drafted him, and if that wasn't enough, Giants GM Dave Gettleman said Saquon Barkley is so good he's been "touched by the hand of God."

That's a lot of hype, which is why so many expect him to put on a dazzling display - even on Day 1...

Justin Tuck optimistic about Barkley, Manning, and more

May 9 | 8:57PM

Former Giants DE Justin Tuck still refers to his former team like he is putting the pads on next season.

Tuck, a Giants Ring of Honor member, used "we" and "us" when asked questions about the Giants upcoming season. And, of course, one of those questions was about the team's No. 2 overall pick in RB Saquon Barkley.